THES World Top Universities - Harvard No. 1 and Yale No. 2

In October 2008, The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) published its prestigious annual ranking of the world’s top universities, showcasing the institutions that led in academic performance, research, and global reputation. The list highlighted a strong mix of U.S. and U.K. universities at the top, demonstrating the global dominance of these countries in higher education.

Leading the ranking was Harvard University in the United States, which solidified its position as the top university globally. Renowned for its long-standing tradition of academic excellence, Harvard's influence spans numerous disciplines, from the humanities to science and technology. Its world-class faculty, extensive research facilities, and powerful alumni network have made it synonymous with elite education and scholarly leadership. The university's robust funding, groundbreaking research initiatives, and dedication to student development continued to elevate its status as the premier educational institution.

Closely following Harvard were other U.S. powerhouses: Yale University, which ranked second, and the University of Chicago, which secured the eighth spot. Yale’s reputation was upheld by its strong emphasis on undergraduate education, innovative research, and a commitment to fostering critical thinking and global leadership. The University of Chicago was celebrated for its rigorous academic environment, its focus on intellectual freedom, and its prestigious research contributions across a wide range of disciplines.

The United Kingdom’s universities also demonstrated their world-class status in the 2008 rankings. The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford were ranked third and fourth, respectively, continuing their long-standing rivalry for academic preeminence. Both institutions have been historically influential in the fields of research, literature, science, and philosophy. Their collegiate systems, distinguished faculties, and cultural impact have made them beacons of higher education worldwide. These universities are well-known for producing high-caliber graduates who go on to make significant contributions in various professional fields.

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), based in Pasadena, held the fifth spot and underscored the U.S.’s strong presence in technology and engineering disciplines. Known for its cutting-edge research and innovative approach to science and engineering, Caltech consistently leads in fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering. Its intimate class sizes and collaboration between students and faculty provide an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

Imperial College London, ranked sixth, was recognized for its strength in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine. The college’s commitment to integrating research and teaching has solidified its place among the leading institutions in the world. Imperial’s world-class facilities and high-impact research have contributed to solving real-world problems and advancing knowledge in numerous fields.

University College London (UCL), securing the seventh spot, further exemplified the U.K.’s prowess in higher education. Known for its interdisciplinary approach, UCL has consistently pushed the boundaries of research and innovation. Its diverse academic offerings and a commitment to inclusivity and global perspectives have made it a popular destination for students from all over the world.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), renowned globally for its cutting-edge research and educational programs in technology and engineering, ranked ninth in 2008. Its reputation for fostering innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and groundbreaking research has made it one of the most influential institutions in the world.

Completing the top 10 was Columbia University in the United States, which has long been a leader in fields like journalism, law, and the arts. Its strategic location in New York City provides students with unique opportunities for internships, networking, and real-world experience.

THES published its annual ranking of world top universities in October 2008.
Following is the Top 100 list:
1 HARVARD University United States
2 YALE University United States
3 University of CAMBRIDGE United Kingdom
4 University of OXFORD United Kingdom
5 CALIFORNIA Institute of Technology (Calt... United States
6 IMPERIAL College London United Kingdom
7 UCL (University College London) United Kingdom
8 University of CHICAGO United States
9 MASSACHUSETTS Institute of Technology (M... United States
10 COLUMBIA University United States
11 U of PENNSYLVANIA United States
12 PRINCETON U United States
13= DUKE U United States
13= JOHNS HOPKINS U United States
15 CORNELL U United States
16 AUSTRALIAN National U Australia
17 STANFORD U United States
18 U of MICHIGAN United States
19 U of TOKYO Japan
20 MCGILL U Canada
21 CARNEGIE MELLON U United States
22 KING'S College London United Kingdom
23 U of EDINBURGH United Kingdom
24 ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of T... Switzerland
25 KYOTO U Japan
26 U of HONG KONG Hong Kong
27 BROWN U United States
28 École Normale Supérieure, PARIS France
29 U of MANCHESTER United Kingdom
30= National U of SINGAPORE(NUS) Singapore
30= U of CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles (U... United States
32 U of BRISTOL United Kingdom
33 NORTHWESTERN U United States
34= ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE France
34= U of BRITISH COLUMBIA Canada
36 U of California, BERKELEY United States
37 The U of SYDNEY Australia
38 The U of MELBOURNE Australia
39 HONG KONG U of Science & Techno... Hong Kong
40 NEW YORK U (NYU) United States
41 U of TORONTO Canada
42 The CHINESE U of Hong Kong Hong Kong
43 U of QUEENSLAND Australia
44 OSAKA Uni Japan
45 U of NEW SOUTH WALES Australia
46 BOSTON Uni United States
47 MONASH U Australia
48 U of COPENHAGEN Denmark
49 TRINITY College Dublin Ireland
50= Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de LAUSANNE... Switzerland
50= PEKING U China
50= SEOUL National U Korea, South
53 U of AMSTERDAM Netherlands
54 DARTMOUTH College United States
55 U of WISCONSIN-Madison United States
56 TSINGHUA U China
57 HEIDELBERG Universität Germany
58 U of CALIFORNIA, San Diego United States
59 U of WASHINGTON United States
60 WASHINGTON Uni in St. Louis United States
61 TOKYO Institute of Technology Japan
62 EMORY U United States
63 UPPSALA U Sweden
64 LEIDEN U Netherlands
65 The U of AUCKLAND New Zealand
66 LONDON School of Economics and Political... United Kingdom
67 UTRECHT Uni Netherlands
68 U of GENEVA Switzerland
69 U of WARWICK United Kingdom
70 U of TEXAS at Austin United States
71 U of ILLINOIS United States
72 Katholieke Universiteit LEUVEN Belgium
73 U of GLASGOW United Kingdom
74 U of ALBERTA Canada
75 U of BIRMINGHAM United Kingdom
76 U of SHEFFIELD United Kingdom
77 NANYANG Technological U Singapore
78= DELFT U of Technology Netherlands
78= RICE U United States
78= Technische Universität MÜNCHEN Germany
81= U of AARHUS Denmark
81= U of YORK United Kingdom
83= GEORGIA Institute of Technology United States
83= The U of WESTERN AUSTRALIA Australia
83= U of ST ANDREWS United Kingdom
86 U of NOTTINGHAM United Kingdom
87 U of MINNESOTA United States
88 LUND U Sweden
89 U of CALIFORNIA, Davis United States
90 CASE WESTERN RESERVE U United States
91= Université de Montréal Canada
91= U of HELSINKI Finland
93= Hebrew U of JERUSALEM Israel
93= Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Germany
95 KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Scie... Korea, South
96 U of VIRGINIA United States
97 U of PITTSBURGH United States
98 U of CALIFORNIA, Santa Barbara United States
99= PURDUE Uni United States
99= U of SOUTHAMPTON United Kingdom

Source: THES-QS World Rankings

* Harvard is still the Number One univ  in the world. In Asia the highest ranked univ is Tokyo (19th, dropped from 17th last year), followed by Kyoto and U of Hong Kong.